(1) The Pedagogical Use. The Law is a teacher showing us GOD's righteousness and condemning us for falling short of GOD's glory.
(2) The Judicial Use. The Law threatens with punishments against trespasses exhorting us to sin less.
(3) The Didactic Use. The Law serves as a normative guide to holiness and love, both for GOD and for others.

God imposed His wrath due unto, and the Son underwent the pains of hell for, either:

(1) All the sins of all men.
(2) All the sins of some men, or
(3) Some sins of all men.

In which case it may be said:

If the last, some sins of all men, then have all men some sins to answer for, and so shall no man be saved.

If the second, that is it which we affirm, that Christ in their stead and room suffered for all the sins of all the elect in the world.

But if the first be true, why are not all men free from the punishment due unto their sins?

You answer, "Because of their unbelief."

I ask, "Is this unbelief a sin, or is it not? If it is, then Christ suffered the punishment due unto it, or He did not. If He did, why must that hinder them more than their other sins for which He died? If He did not, He did not die for all their sins!"

For teachers like me, March is the most stressful month of the year. Students flood faculty members' offices for a vast variety of concerns: completion exams, unmet requirements, missing grades, picture takings, crying parents, etc. All for a single reason, "Sir, I am graduating."

So I think it is timely to reflect on how Christians should let their light shine on the basis of graduating. You, as a believer, have a unique opportunity to show to the world that you are different.

You waste your Graduation...

When you are more concerned on how your name marks your diploma than how words mark your Bible. Because Psalm 119:103 is very far from saying, "How sweet is my name to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

When you are more excited in attending baccalaureate activities than going to church. Because Psalm 84:10 is very far from saying, "For a day in Stadia is better than a thousand elsewhere."

When you are more worried in preparing for graduation pictures than evaluating the frame of your heart. Because 1 Cor. 10:12 is very far from saying, "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he looks good take heed lest he fall."

When you are reflecting more of being freed from school works than being freed from sins' works. Because Romans 6:6,7 are very far from saying, "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the works of school might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to school. For one who has graduated has been set free from school.

When you have already mastered your song on graduation day but are still unsure what to sing when Christ returns a day before. Because Rev. 15:3 is very far from saying, "And they sang the song of Nikki, saying, 'I'm glowing, glowing inside with your love shining through. Thank you for everything you do. I'm glowing inside because of you."

When you find more comfort in contemplating about your academic achievement than Christ's atoning achievements. Because 2 Cor. 1:5 is very far from saying, "For as we share abundantly in examination results, so through our transcript we share abundantly in comfort too."

When you tell others more of your graduation than of the Christ's crucifixion. Because 1 Cor. 11:26 is very far from saying, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim that you are now a degree-holder."

When you have a louder celebration over your graduation than over a sinner's salvation. Because Luke 15:7 is very far from saying, "I [Jesus] tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one student who graduates than over ninety-nine learned persons who need no study."

When you cannot exchange a thousand diplomas for the salvation of your classmates. Because Romans 9:3 is far greater than saying, "For I could wish that I myself were undone and cut off from my diploma for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh."

When you forget that graduation is given to you to make it obvious to the world that graduation is not your treasure, Christ is. Because Matthew 13:44 is very far from saying, "The academic degree is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

I know of a man who studied at the best school in the country. He stayed in it longer than everybody but a few. He had dozens of reasons to celebrate on his graduation day. But he did not come nor did he ask his parents for a party. Instead, he prioritized glorifying Christ in Vacation Church School for grade-schoolers... something that may boggle a natural mind.

As early as the 7th National Bible Quiz last January, my bestfriend Anna Manelle is dying to buy Leslie Ludy's "Authentic Beauty" but has always been challenged with her resources. As she celebrates her birthday today, I hand over a copy of the book to her. Inside she found the following note. May you enjoy reading.